School girl’s childhood cut short: Class X student gives birth, Mayurbhanj school under scanner

Baripada: A Class X student from Betnoti in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, who was reportedly seven months pregnant, delivered a baby boy at PRM Medical College and Hospital in Baripada on Wednesday.

The incident has raised serious questions about the safety, welfare and care of students residing in educational institutions. According to preliminary information, the student, a resident of Betnoti block, was studying in Class 10 and staying at the hostel of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya in Dhanpur.

On Tuesday, she reportedly fell ill suddenly, and her condition deteriorated. The school authorities initially admitted her to Betnoti hospital for treatment. During the preliminary medical examination, doctors discovered that she was pregnant. On their advice, she was subsequently referred to PRM Medical College and Hospital in Baripada for advanced medical care, where she delivered a baby boy the following morning.

Although some sources claim that the student is over 18 years of age, her age is yet to be officially verified. No police complaint has reportedly been filed in connection with the incident so far.

Repeated attempts to contact the school’s headmistress for her comments and clarification on the incident were unsuccessful. It remains unclear whether the school authorities were aware of the student’s pregnancy before she was taken to hospital. The circumstances leading to the pregnancy and whether any lapses in the school’s supervision or care were involved are also yet to be ascertained.

The full details of the incident are still awaited, with the facts expected to emerge once authorities concerned provide an official clarification or conduct an inquiry.